Cell adhesion in microchannel multiple constrictions - Evidence of mass transport limitations

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2021-11-20

Authors

Soraia Neves (Author) FEUP; J. Ponmozhi (Author) FEUP; Filipe Mergulhão (Author) FEUP; João Moreira de Campos (Author) FEUP; João Miranda (Author) FEUP

Journal

Title: Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces

Vol. 198

Pages: 1-9

ISSN: 0927-7765

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 0 Citations

Scopus - 0 Citations

Associated Projects

CEFT - Financiamento Plurianual 2020-2023 da Unidade de I&D CEFT - Centro de Estudos de Fenómenos de Transporte

PTDC/QEQ-FTT/4287/2014|16861 - Novos fluidos biomiméticos para aplicações biomédicas

PTDC/EQU-FTT/105535/2008 - Sujamento e limpeza de micro canais

LEPABE - Financiamento Plurianual 2020-2023 da Unidade de I&D LEPABE - Laboratório de Engenharia de Processos, Ambiente, Biotecnologia e Energia

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00T-606

DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2020.111490

Abstract (EN): Biofilm growth (fouling) in microdevices is a critical concern in several industrial, engineering and health applications, particularly in novel high-performance microdevices often designed with complex geometries, narrow regions and multiple headers. Unfortunately, on these devices, the regions with local high wall shear stresses (WSS) also show high local fouling rates. Several explanations have been put forward by the scientific community, including the effect of cell transport by Brownian motion on the adhesion rate. In this work, for the first time, both WSS and convection and Brownian diffusion effects on cell adhesion were evaluated along a microchannel with intercalate constriction and expansion zones designed to mimic the hydrodynamics of the human body and biomedical devices. Convection and Brownian diffusion effects were numerically studied using a steady-state convective-diffusion model (convection, diffusion and sedimentation). According to the numerical results, the convection and Brownian diffusion effects on cell adhesion are effectively more significant in regions with high WSS. Furthermore, a good agreement was observed between experimental and predicted local Sherwood numbers, particularly at the entrance and within the multiple constrictions. However, further mechanisms should be considered to accurately predict cell adhesion in the expansion zones. The described numerical approach can be used as a way to identify possible clogging zones in microchannels, and defining solutions, even before the construction of the prototype.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 9